The Karnataka drugs control department has identified 33 drugs to be not-of-standard quality. The department's enforcement wing had conducted surprise inspections to pick up drug samples at random.

The inspections were carried out in August and the Drug Test Labs issued the reports from September 1 to 18, 2015. The drugs found to be not-of-standard quality include Sinamol Plus phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine maleate and paracetamol oral suspension manufactured by Whiz Labs located in Sunet village, Ludhiana in Punjab, Elfenac –T tablets manufactured by Amree Pharmaceuticals in Karnal in Haryana, Aceclofenac tablets manufactured by Noel Pharma India at Baddi, and Meloxicam injection manufactured by Safecon Lifesciences in Uttarkhand.

The list also include M –Colde-SR manufactured by Eifil Pharma at Baddi, sodium feredetate, folic acid and vitamin B12 oral solution manufactured by Cosmas Pharmacals at Solan in Himachal Pradesh, lomonex or loperamide tablets manufactured by Gopish Pharma in Solan district in Himachal Pradesh, Omezon-D containing omeprazole and domeperidone capsules manufactured by Progressive Lifesciences in Haridwar, Azithral which is azithromycin dispersible tablet manufactured by Alembic Pharma at Solan in Himachal Pradesh, Fephar-Z capsules manufactured by Mascot Health at Haridwar, NIMIS-VET which is a nimesulide injection manufactured by SVP Lifesciences in Dehradun, G-Mol 650 which are paracetamol tablets manufactured by Gopal Enterprises at Baddi, Dexadon which is a dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection manufactured by Anrose Pharma in Solan district in Himachal Pradesh and Coughwar manufactured by Life Vision Healthcare at Baddi in Himachal Pradesh.

Other drugs tested for not-of-standard quality are Domser manufactured by Dr. Edwin Labs in Punjab, Phosphate Enema by Harsh Health Care in Madhya Pradesh, Althrocin liquid which is an erythromycin estolate oral suspension manufactured by Alembic Pharma at Solan in Himachal Pradesh, Haemodoc-Z which contains ferrous ascorbate, folic acid and zinc sulphate manufactured by Greef Formulations at Kotla in Himachal Pradesh, Flexi tablets containing ondansetron manufactured by Adley Formulations in Kotla at Himachal Pradesh, Noxcold syrup manufactured by Vance and Health Pharmaceuticals in Uttarkhand, Dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection manufactured by Om Biomedic at Uttarkhand, Diflo which contains diclofenac potassium paracetamol and chlorzoxazone tablets manufactured by Ultramed Life Sciences in Roorkee, Inpod which is a Cefpodoxime proxetil dispersible tablet manufactured by Vee Laboratories at Solan, Mefanopas tablets containing mefenamic acid and dicyclomine hydrochloride manufactured by Vilin Biome at Haridwar district in Uttarkhand, V-Cold tablets containing paracetamol, phenylephrine HCL and caffeine anhydrous manufactured by Cosmas Pharmacals in Solan and Panjay containing pantoprazole manufactured by Austin Pharmaceuticals at Derabassi in Mohali district.

Most of the drugs are manufactured at the former excise free zones which have poor supervision and adherence to good manufacturing practices, observed sources.

The state regulator has informed all pharmacy outlets and hospitals not to stock and prescribe these drugs.